, 1887-07-06


coming SO comparatively early after
the triumphant disclosure on the same sub
iect made with almost theatrical effect i'll
the same Court, by Governor Irving,
fell uupon the colony like q thnnderbolt. 1t
was about the end of 1886 that Sir Henry
Irving ventnred to think he had q state
ment tosmake which would be received with
satisfaction He was glad to inform the
Court that the Colonial Government had
been placed i'll the position to Issue licences
in the disputed territory SO called, and he
was sure members would share with him
i'm q sense of the obligation this colony was
uader TO the Imperial Government for the
"great consideration" that had been shown
to us. C0incidently with Sir Henrv's gold
en- message appeared the proclamation or
the Imperial Government declaring all
titles issued from or through the Govern.
ment of Venezuela to this lands hitherto
held to be in dispRte, to be valueiesR, aud
warning persons disposed to claim right OF
possession under the said titles that they
would heliable to be treated as trespassers.
The declaration was so spirited md deci-
sive that people could hardly believe it had
emanated from q British Cabinet; and
Arrangement increased when FL. NJ. 8. Eme.
raid was stationed st the mouth of the ORR
noco to protect Her Majcsty's subjects set.
tied upon The coast lands thereabout from
possible Venezuelan interference. Com.
menting upon the question, we admitted
that the Government action was very dig
nihed AMI altogether unlocked. for. Colo
Nists acknowledged that they had no idea
she Imperial Government would have act
ed vii such Il %ci{iOn, and NJ q practical
proof of their belief that the Government
we're in earnest, there was IA general move
ment throughout the length and breadth Of
the land towards the formation of Gold
Companies, private and public, and very
soon the harder land, supposed to be in
dispute no longer, was busy with men
prospecting for and gathering gold. Eve
sy week since then thousands Of dollars
ave been spent in developing the gold
arnde, the money coming from every class
in the land, estates labOWrerS even invest
ing their small savings in what promised
~ give them n good return. All were un.
der tho belief that the Imperial Govern
ment had decided cOncluSively to retain
possession of the land, ut all events that
portion Of it lying within Schomburgk's
boundaries, and there was no more fear of
any Venezuelan Interference, of either q
diplomatic or a physical nature. Working
an actively in this blind confidence, and
making contracts in advance for more ex.
tenSiyr operations, including quartz-mining
the eff ct of the Constructions" MIR. Bruce
bad to deliver on Tuesday. upon the inha-
hitantS of the colony, can he imagined.
at first gloss the message looked more
forlilling than it really is. 1t is after
teading it carefully that the drift OF it's
meaning becomes plain, and that We per.
ceive Indications ot u policy that in mean.
tess of spirit would do credit to a dirty
4criyener. No wonder that men this week,
in public places, have not hrsitated to ex-
press their detestltion of the British Gov
trnmeIt, TO. its utter disregard of the in
terests ofits colonies, and it's humiliating
4tfOFeign policy" There will be a public
meeting held before next mail, at which
il is probable, inter ala, u resolution will
he passed asking Sir Henry Turner irving
and Attorney General Smith, who are
now in England and who are responsible
to tile colony for the roseate Interpretation
OF the Imperial Government proclamation
in October last, to take mp the colony's
cause in Downing Street AMI press for q
recognition of the colony's right to the
territory up to Schomburgk's boundary.
Meanwhile we do not think the gold indus.
Try slonlV be abandoned, or regarded with
the slightest d~istrust. Instead Of Stacking
off claims upon the land, the best policy
you'd be to strengthen them, anil this can
best be done by vigorous development: of
the industry. We have nothing TO fear in